Pause

Listen

Lord, you have done so many things! You made them all so wisely! The earth is full of your creations! And then there’s the sea, wide and deep, with its countless creatures— living things both small and large. There go the ships on it, and Leviathan, which you made, plays in it! All your creations wait for you to give them their food on time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled completely full! But when you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When you let loose your breath, they are created, and you make the surface of the ground brand-new again.

Think

I have never been sailing before. I’ve only been on boats powered by noisy motors. Maybe I’m scared that the wind might drop, and I’ll be stranded on the water with no way home. But how can I put so much trust in a motor? Motors can break down, leaving me just as helpless.

How can I put trust in anything that is not God, when I know that God is the only One who will not let me down? Unlike the “countless creatures” of the sea waiting patiently for God’s good gifts of nourishment, I think too much. I anxiously anticipate the worst case scenario so much that I cannot calmly await the gifts of the Spirit. I’m a shipwreck waiting to happen.

Even in all our imperfection and unworthiness, God loves us. God continues to give us good gifts through the Holy Spirit. God’s breath has within it the power to create anew that which is dead and to love that which seems unlovable (v. 30). Thanks be to God!

Pray

Spirit of renewal, stir up in me trust in the Lord. Open my eyes and the eyes of my heart that I may see God’s gifts all around me. Fill me with gratitude that I may receive God’s Holy Spirit so freely given. Amen.

Go

Sun of the soul, O Light divine, around and in us brightly shine, your strength in us upwelling.

In your radiance life from heaven now is given overflowing, gift of gifts beyond all knowing.”

from “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” by Michael Schirmer

read more>

writer

Sarah Boatwright

Sarah H. Boatwright is a full-time wife and mom whose son has taught her how to be a morning person. Any spare time she can find is devoted to chores, church, crafts, and writing; but not always in that order. Sarah loves music, cooking, and a strong cup of coffee.